How many for a 55?

[SinisterKisses]

Definitely not. I wouldn't even recommend a trio in a 29gal.

 

[sweetpickles7]

Really,Mine only get about 4in big.Is it because of there active ness?

 

[SinisterKisses]

Because with time, they actually reach a good 6". I would never recommend anything more than three in a tank so small, and 10 is definitely not a good idea.

 

[sweetpickles7]

Wow.I have always read that they get only about 4" and at the most 5".K thanks good thing you told me this i was going to put about 5 more in my 55gal!

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol. I think in the wild they get about that size, but tank-raised fish often get bigger. 6" is about a normal size for a tank-raised adult Lab.

 

[sweetpickles7]

Okay,thanks SinisterK!

 

[SinisterKisses]

Welcome

 

[sweetpickles7]

Okay got a new question this time.First off i think i have a lab holding babies in here mouth.She flaps here gills alot and looks like she has here mouth full of....something.I looked in here mouth and its like mix of yellow,gray,and tan!Yea i know im not a good explainer.So does this sound like i have a pregnant lab?And if i do how long will it be before they hatch?

 

[FreddyJ]

you can usually tell that a mouthbrooder is holding just by looking at her appearance. The throat area looks swollen. They don't eat either during this time. I have never looked into the mouth of my fish to tell ya what it looks like but they hold eggs anywhere from like 3-4 weeks. When the fish are free swimming fry she will spit them out.

Good Luck

 

[sweetpickles7]

Okay thanks freddyj

 

[Unexpected]

Tropical Fish Centre - Discus Yellow lab pics.
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/mail/striped_fry.jpg Yellow lab fry in yolk sac stage.
http://www.african-cichlid.com/BurtoniH350.jpg Not a yellow lab, but you should get the idea of what a holding cichlid looks like.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Just for the record on that first link, wtf kind of male yellow lab is that? I've NEVER seen one with black like that. And the stripes on the side with labs usually indicate strained bloodlines or bad breeding from my experience (All the crappy local and LFS labs have it). You'll find real true "electric" colored yellows in the wild...none of that black.

 

[SinisterKisses]

That link in general is complete BS if you read it. It says things like females only get 2-3", and that males are easy to sex by the thick black on their fins...stuff that is completely false. So I'm not surprised at the disgusting lab they're using pictures of.

 

[sweetpickles7]

O yea C-man,my labs have there black stripe now.I have one thats full and the others are only about half way but are getting slowly.Im using new life spectrum cichlid formula.I do have a ? about it since it has quite a bit of protein in it.I have been mixing it up with there foods and am wondering if i can feed them just New Life Spect.?My worry is malawi bloat.Mine has a minimum of 34% krill and herring protein.

 

[SinisterKisses]

You can feed them nothing but NLS if you like, and they'll be fine. Most people that I know who use NLS for their Malawis, use it exclusively. It won't cause bloat. Besides, labs are omnivores, they need a bit of protein in their diet.

 

[sweetpickles7]

Okay thanks sinisterk!

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Yep, i feed mine as a staple and flakes on the side/mixed in.

 

[sweetpickles7]

Thats what ive been doing and so far they've been liking it!

 

[sweetpickles7]

Okay since my labs that i have ordered have not made it in 2 shipments the guy is just going to refund my money.So now i have decided to move the 3 labs [1m+2f] into my 29gal tank.Now i need help on deciding what to put into my 75gal tank.I love oscars i just dont want to waste a big tank for them.I was thinking about going SA cichlid tank.But i dont know what my limits are.I want rams,angles,apistos, and mabe tetras or livebearers.Maybe a little help?